Shaivism of Kashmir has developed between the eight and
the twelfth centuries of the Christian era. This
comparatively younger philosophy has tried to explain
all such ambiguities which the ancient philosophers have
failed to resolve. Like Advaitavedanta it is
monistic, like Vaishnavism it is theistic, like
yoga it is practical, like Nayaya it is logical as also
appeasing like Buddhism. Kashmir Shaivism is, therefore,
idealistic and realistic in essence, strongly advocating
a pragmatic approach to life.

Tantras have been revealed by Lord Shiva through his
five mouths namely Ishana, Tatpurusha, Sadyojata,
Vamadeva, and Aghora. These very five
mouths represent his five energies namely Chitshakti
(consciousness), Anandashakti (Bliss), Ichhashakti
(will), Jnanashakti (knowledge) and Kriyashakti
(Action) respectively. When these aforesaid five
energies of Lord Shiva unite with each other in such a
way that each of these takes bold of the rest
simultaneously, they reveal sixty four Bhairvatantras
which are purely monistic. This very approach explained
in these Tantras is called Kashmir Shaivism or Trika
philosophy.